Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 December 1936 — Page 12
WINTERSET’ DRAMA AWARD "WINNER,
Play's Li Lines Written in Blank Verse
George Adis’ Picture, ‘East Is West,' to
Open Friday.
The Circle management doesn’t mind telling any one
who wishes to inquire that
they have some big pictures coming up in the next few weeks.
In particular they are proud of “Winterset.” the screen version of Maxwell Anderson’s play which won the New York drama critics award as the best play of 1935. Burgess Meredith and Margo, stars of the -stage “play, have their same roles in the film. But there are other items to which Messrs. Art Baker and Frank Moneyhun point with pride. These include the new George Arliss picture, “East Is West,” which opens Friday, “College Holiday,” with Jack Benny and Burns and Allen heading the cast, and Cecil B.
- DeMille’s “The ‘Plainsman,” a “su-
per-western” with Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur. The next attraction is one of Mr. Arliss’ British-made pictures, in which he bids a temporary farewell to a long list of historical portrayals to don again
~ the jeweled turban and scimitar of
“The Green Goddess.”
Written In Blank Verse
“Winterset,” the Circle managers say, may be along before Chrisimas, or it may not reach us until early in the New Year. But it is on the way, and when it arrives picture enthusiasts are pretty certain to see something different. For one thing, the lines are in blank verse. To Mr. Anderson, “prose is the language of information and poetry the language of emotion.” So the author's first play, “White Desert,” produced in 1923, was written in verse, because he was “weary of plays in prose that never lifted from the ground.” The first play was a failure, but Mr. Anderson soon crashed through with “What Price Glory,” in collaboration with Lawrence Stallings. Because he thought that poetic tragedy about contemporary life had caused his first play’s failure, Mr. Anderson turned to historical drama in verse. The most important and successful were “Elizabeth the Queen,” played by Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne; “Mary of Scotland,” done by Helen Hayes,
and “Valley Forge,” which starred
Philip Merivale, Much of Mr. Anderson’s poetry necessarily has been eliminated in the screen play, which is by Anthony Veiller. Mr. Veiller agreed with Mr. Anderson that the play’s effect came from its poetic form. He has tried to achieve this same effect through soft phsetography, “romantic” lighting ai other camera aids.
Trial Is Background
“Winterset’s” background is the famous Sacco-Vanzetti trial. These
- two Italians were tried and con-
victed for a paymaster’s murder in Boston in 1921, and finally were executed in 1927. The fact many thought the accused men were convicted on rather flimsy evidence, and that their radicalism and pacifism were used against them aroused a storm of ‘protest throughout the country. Despite the offer of the defense to produce a mass of new evidence, a new trial was refused. The Gov-
_ernor later appointed an investi-
gating committee which did not intervene, and the execution proceeded despite many protests. The play does not retell the story of the trial. Rather it shows the son of one of the executed men, whose object in life is to remove the blot of his father’s death from his mind. It shows also the judge who presided atighe trial, his mind now deranged, afid.a gangster who turns out to be: Th al ‘iprit in the 15-year-old cx’ ; —~ “Winterset’s” - ac under the shallow? Bridge.
pkes place
por
“Riddle Me This Opening Tonight
Daniel N. Rubin's mystery comedy, “Riddle Me This,” is to be pre-
- sented by the Federal Players at
Keith's for a week beginning to-
ght. first play of its kind to be offered by the Federals, “Riddle Me This” had a long New York run,
‘and is considered one of the most
unusual dramas of the contempo-
. rary theater.
The story has to do with the sin-
ister affairs in the household of a
physician. There is crime, of course, and a detective, aided by a woman ncwspaper reporter, attempts to . solve it. The audience from the ~ first knows the perpetrator of the ferime, but the players do not.
PERRY WILL MAKE SHORTS ON TENNIS
IS COMING TO CIRCLE
TENSE MOMENT IN ‘CHILDREN'S HOUR"
A tense moment in “The Children’s Hour,” coming to English’s on Thursday night for three evenings and a Saturday matinee. players are, left to right, Blaine Cordner, Anne Revere, Florence McGee,
The
Katherine Emery and Katherine Emmet.
Miss McGee plays Mary
Tilford, the cruel, untruthful and evil-minded “brat” whose slander
ruins lives and reputations.
BY JAMES
concert diet.
terday brought more than ordinary This noted American ensemble, consisting of Sacha Jacobsen and Paul Bernard, violins; Louis Kievman, viola, and Marie RoemaetRosanoff, cello, was a Martens Concert presentation. Their reengagement: was prompted in part by the very enthusiastic response given them in an appearance on the same series’ two years ago. Yesterday’s program, wisely chosen and admirably playéd, brought us two works of beauty and proved greatness she F Minor Quartet, Op. 95, of Beethoven, angithe Schumann A Major Quartet—and an interesting. and enjoyable contemporary composition, the “Triptyque” by Alexander Tansman.
Somber Character The. Beethoven quartet ‘was the
magnificent = group which begins with Op. 127. An interval of 14
years separates them. Dating from the year of the Seventh and Eighth Symphonies, the F Minor Quartet contains. little of the: heroically joyful mood of these two symphonies. Not until the spirited few measures
last in-this form until the unique, |
which end the work does it lose its serious and sometimes somber character. A becoming seriousness of approach- marked the rformance. In; spite ‘of -some portions. of cloudy: playing, the ‘effect - was . admirable, especially . the delivery of. the sublimely. simple second movement, The Musical Art players’ virtu=: osity found an ample test in the Tansman music, and met it in a brilliant manner. Here is a work of unholy difficulty but one, unlike much modern music, which repays the expended effort. Mr. Tansman is familiar to most of us, through | the courtesy of Jose Iturbi, as the composer of the “Sonata Transatlantique” for piano. His “Triptique”: is decidedly better music. ere is a buoyant, rhythmic vitality, complex though not baffling. There also: are what are known commonly as
“tunes.” ‘Exciting Opening. The: opening “allegro risoluto” is
a breathless, exciting pattern ‘of rhythmic movement. Then comes’
a simple, lovely melody whose, char-
acter is reminiscent of a religious folk-song. The final movement's brilliant “presto” is succeeded by another songful theme, and. the work closes in a quietly lyric mood. Mr. Tansman apparently has paid hom-« age to Stravinsky in the “Triptyque,”: which surely is no indictment of his talent. The quartet is wrought well and carefully and is most pleasant to hear when done in the. superb manner of yesterday’s performance. Schumann's opulent melody and warm romanticism brought the program to a satisfying close. Full of charming dialogues between the first violin and the dle and viola, | alive with sparkling and typically Schumannesque rhythms, it received excellent and understanding treatment from the artists. The familiar “Notturno” of Borodin was added as an encore. In the two years since their Jast| visit, the Musical Art players have achieved a much better balance of ensemble. ‘Though tonally ' they Soares equal some of the Biron their ying is’ precise,
SIGNS 200 PHOTOS
Joan Crawford f Be autographs 200 of
portraits every Christmas ie. umbers Of & New Yatk
&]
Brilliant Playing Marks String Quartet Concert
THRASHER
Chamber music is one of the scarcer items in our often unbalanced And since some of the loftiest ideas of great composers have been uttered through the string quartet and other intimate combi~ nations, the return of the Musical Art String Quartet at English’s yes-
satisfaction.
Interviews of Actors Brief
Stars Have - Little Time to
- Chat While on Set.
BY PAUL HARRISON NEA Service Staff Correspondent OLLYWOOD, Dec. T~—~John ;Barrymore said,
by. this time I don’t know how old I really am. Pardon me a minute—",
Jean Harlow said, “I sounds silly, §
but I got a lot of valuahle training ‘dodging custard pies’ in’. two-reel comedies. It gave me a sense of timing in picking up my cues -and —sorry, I've got to go- now.” Edward Arnold said, “The fact is |’ that I've been overweight since I was 20 years old. But I never got anywhere as an actor until ‘I started losing my hair. Stick around awhile; they want me for this scene.” On the sets at the studios, interviews usually turn out like that, and conversations are held in snatches,
Just as you get Clark Gable tuned |
up for a discourse on the future of the cinema, ‘or bear hunting. in Idaho, or mustache culture in “Parnell! an . assistant director ° yelis, “Mr. Gable!" We're all ready, Mr Gable!” ~~ So off sprints Mr. Gable, and when he gets a breathing spell a hour later he has forgotten all about the future of the cinema and wants to i you the. latest joke he has ear
-More often than not these tabloid interviews get ‘no: further than a gréeting, a search for chairs or a prop: box to sit on; the lighting of cigarettes, a moment of small talk about the picture, last night's party at the: Troc and next Saturday’s football: game, a question on the subject chosen for an interview, a few seconds of thought on the part of the interviewee, and a brisk summons from the assistant director. But Sometimes a player manages to deliver an entire sentence or two Wilaut being interrupted. As folWi Basil Rathbone: as a light comedian on’ ‘the stage. Now ‘look at’ me!
Dorothy Lamour: Well, it seems to me that actresses are like prize fighters. When their legs are gone, so are they.” Miriam Hopkins: “Naturally, there's no finer place n° the world
to make pictures, but’ Hollywood's -
no go as a permanent : ence,”
up speedboats for a
picture contract, hy. wife hopes I WOm's give up re
t for anything.” i Eleanor = Powell: “During
“You know, | I've lied so much about my age that |:
“I was ‘known
: On the sereen. they use me to frighten children”
WHERE, WHAT, WHEN
APOLLO
“Banjo on My Knee,” with Barbara Stanwyck Tod Joel McCrea, at 11:32, 1:36, 3:40, 5:44, 7:48 and 9:52.
CIRCLE
“Smartest Girl in Town,” with Gene Raymond and Ann Sothern, at 2:59, 5:33, 7:56 and 10:30. Also “The Jungle Princess,” with Dorothy Lamour, at 11, 1:34, 4:08, 6:31 and 9:05.
KEITH'S
“Riddle Me This,”” presented by the Federal Players, at 8:15.
LOEW'S “Pennies from Heaven,” with Crosby and M 148, 4:31, 7:14, 1 ‘ i ' at 12:43, 3:26, 6:09 and
LYRIC
Maj. Bowes’ Dance Band and Revue, on stage at 1:10, 3:52, 6:44 and 9:36. Alsa “Fugitive in the Sky.” with Jean Muir and Warren Hull, at 11:45, 2:27, 5:19, 8:11 and 10:26.
ALAMO: nays Unknown Ranger,” with Bob Also ‘Down the Stretch.” he ‘Patricia Ellis.
AMEASSADOR; “Devil Is 2 Sissy, » with Jackie
Coope Also * ive ‘Me “Your Heart,” with Ray Francis -
: OHIO : “Swing Time,’ with .Fred Astaire
and Ginger Rogers. Also, “Love Be- ~ gins at 20,” with Hugh Herbert.
Press Agent Now Director
Bing 5,
of Terror,’ "- 8:56.
4
Sherman PR Procodont Of Publicity Writers.
BY GRADY JOHNSON United Press Staff Correspondent
HOLLYWOOD, - Dec. 7.—Downtrodden ‘movie press agents have found a ray of personal hope in the
' | mounting successes of Joseph Sher-
man, who, despite seven years of blurb writing, writer and director. Those who shout the cinema's praises point to Sherman as an exception to the unwritten law of the publicity - departments. “Once you put on the overalls of a working press ‘agent, you can never take them off,” is the. fatalistic attitude of these movie menials. : In four. years, Sherman, & former Seattle . (Wash.) newspaper man and lawyer, went from publicit' writing to scenario writing and thence. to - directing short subjects | P! for Merto-Goldwyn-Mayer. “I had to sell my first story to a rival studio—Paramount,” he explained. “I couldn't convince any one on our lot that I could write anything except publicity until the other studio ‘bought. my. stuff. ““After that first success, I lost in-
terest in my publicity ‘job and be-
first, seven years of dancing I didn’t $3
a cent. But Twas! yust as Moony thew as 7 am wow”
NEWTON TO GIVE
fied
RECITALS AT 'Y. w.|
ETE
became a screen
Four Dances To Be Given
Ballet Russe Adds Special Number to Repertoire.
A special “bargain” attraction of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, opening a two-performance engagement tonight at the Murat, will be the addition of the ballet, “L’ApresMidi d'un Faune,” on the Tuesday night bill. The ballet is appearing here under auspices of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. : Though the Russian dancers. ordinarily: give only three ballets' at each performance; Indianapolis is to have the pleasure of seeing four on each of.the two nights. pres Midd d'un Faune” is: best
6: Wass apaccived ogre introduced by
‘I Nijinsky, with scenery and costumes
by: Bakst. The original costumes and scenery will be used in the performance here, The ballet caused a violent difference of opinion upon its premiere in Paris in 1912. Rodin called it a “perfeet representation of Greek beauty.” The newspaper Figaro called it “shameless.” In New York, Digg hileff and the = Metropolitan Opra officials were haled into court oh a charge of corrupiing the pub-
Massine to Be Here
Indianapolis will see Leonide Massine, who created the part in New York. The ballet’s scene is laid in Attic Greece. A fawn is sun-
ning himself on a rock. Nymphs en- |
ter. He follows them and dances. Frightened, they withdraw. But one of them has left behind her scarf. The fawn turns, goes back to his rock, and dreams that .it is the nymph herself he has. captured. The stories of tonight’s ballets are as follows: : “Swan Lake'—A choreographic poem in one act. with music by
Tschaijkowsky, choreography after: .sar, Leonide Massine, to meet his |
Petipa and scenery by Prince A. Schervachidze. : A young prince comes to hunt near 2 lake with a few of his friends. Soon some swans appear and. dance like young girls in the moonlight. The prince falls in love with the Queen of the Swans: and stops the hunt inorder to join in their dance, but the Evil Genius has condemned’ these enchanted princesses to take the form of swans | and they fly away at the break of day. The prince wishes to follow them, but the Evil Genius bars the way. Being powerless to overcome his magic, the Prince falls down dead. : “Cleopatre” — A chor
phic || on Nation-Wide Air Tour . . . | Singing and Dancing for One: | Performance Only on
‘Lyric Stage—In Person JONIGHY at 1140 0'CLOCK
Gold Diggers Arrive Here
On Schedule
Beauties Met at Airport By Delegation Headed By Mayor Kern.
Aided by perfect flying |.
weather, Warner Brothers’ emissaries of beauty, ‘The Flying Gold Diggers,” dropped down out of a chilly sky on the Municipal Airport field at 11 a. m. today. The 12 chorines, - two principal
‘| players and their entourage
flew over from Cincinnati and atrived precisely on schedule.
A delegation, headed by Mayor! _— and Managers Kenneth Col- § lins and "Ted Njcholas of the Apollo
and Lyric theaters, met the party. In 12 shiny. new cars, behind the blaring sirens. of’ a police escort, the “beauty. parade; » snuggled in
fur coats, hurried -up- W. Washing- y*
ton-st, around the Circle and to the Statehouse. The party met Gov. McNutt in his office shortly before noon, and lined up by the Governor’s desk with open autograph books.in hand. The Service Club was host to the “Gold Diggers” at a lunch< eon in the Lincoln. After the
luncheon, the group crossed .overf
fo the Claypool, their official headquarters during their brief visit, for an afternoon ‘of press interviews, broadcasts and ‘visits to the American Legion headquarters and newspaper offices.At T:40 Pe ‘m. the ‘troupe will present: +4: 27-minute skeich from their new picture on the Lyric stage. ' One of the principals, Rosalind ‘Marquis, Chicago singer, was called back to Hollywood: from the tour this week-end to start work in a new picture. The other two, Jeanne Madden and Fred Lav/rence, and the chorus will be seen in song-and-dance excerpts. Mr. Lawrence also is to relate some of the experiences of this coast-to-coast tour. Tomorrow the “Gold Diggers” are to take the air for Kansas City, Mo... next stop in their return jump to the West Coast. «Gold Diggers of 1937” is booked for’ the Apollo’s New Year's week attraction.
mantic ballet by x L. Vaudoyer after- & poem of eophile i tier.
Music ' by Weber. "Choreography by
Michel Fokine. Costumes and setting’ by Leon Bakst. The: music is that of “The Invitation “to the Dance.” A young. girl who has just returned from her first ball sits dreaming. The spirit of the rose she is wearing visits her, and they dance together. He leaps out of the casement, and then she awakens, saddened and disillusioned, “Beau .Danube”—Conceived by Leonide Massine, maitre de ballet ‘of the Ballet Russe of Monte Carlo, “The Beautiful Danube” is romantic episode in charming old Vienna, set to music of Johann Strauss and performed against a background designed by Constantin Guys. It is set in a public park, with trees, a curving road; an elegant carriage colored in’ ‘soft grays and sepia. To this lovely spot ° come children to play, midinettes and milliners to dance with their gallants. A traveling carnival troupe arrives and gives a naive little show, complete with a manager, “strong man,” and a flirtatious street dancer. Here too comes the dashing hus-
fiancee (accompanied by her mother). But the street dancer, his former love, bursts upon the happy couple and all but wrecks their ro‘mance. -The girl rivals faint in rapid succession, but true love triumphs, however, the earnival girl ‘takes her broken heart Way, and ‘the ‘crowd merrily dances to ‘happiness of the young: lovers.
the STATE
BALLERINA
Tamara Toumanova, one of the prima ballerinas to appear to“night and tomorrow in the Ballet Russe in the Murat. Four: ballets -are to be given each night, ,
Girl Is Hailed As Opera Star
Chicagoan Quits School for Stage After Triumph.
By United Press’
CHICAGO, Dec. .T—Betty Jane
Schultz, 15, bade farewell ‘to. her school books today and turned to the glamor ‘and rigors of an oper atic career. Critics hailed enthusiastically Betty's first operatic appearance last night as Mimi in “La Boheme” at a special performance of the Chicago City Opera Company. “Now I shall not go to school any more,” the blond Betty said, jumping about with childish glee on the opera stage. “I shall just sing and sing and sing.” a
For two years Betty, who will use the stage name of Betty: Jaynes, combined singing lessons with class work ‘at ‘the Starrett School for girls where she was a sophomore. Last night was the second, Sime she has sung in publig; “She has beauty, voled. _control and no nerves whatever,” Edward Barry, Chicago Tribune critic said.“ “She is destined ‘for a brillant
career.”
Giovanni Martinelli, who sang the tenor role with her, said he considered her. a promising artist. Betty’s. . widowed mother, Mrs. Louis Schultz, said movie contracts already had been tendered. No Jefiils plans have. been made, she
_GIRLIN T
en rod Ene Bore
Plug the sense every has dreamed THE EJUNGLE FRINGES”
Dorothy Lamour—Ray Milland—Lynne Overman
25¢ UNTIL. 6 AFTER 6
* 40¢
Film Version Of Edward's Affair ‘Out’
Hollywood Directors Fear Picture Would Cause English Ban.
By United Press
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. T— Movie mills eyeing Edward VIII's romance. with Baltimore’s Mrs. Wallie Simpson as hopeful screen material reportedly saw the heavy hand of the Will H. Hays film censoring organization in a thumbs down gesture today.
Mr. Hays’ organization was said to have banned a story by Leo Birinski titled “I Gave My Wife to the King.” One of the major studios, seriously interested in the play, allegedly was warned such a picture might possibly hurt all of Hollywood by alienating public opinion in England. It is no secret that many screen writers have been delving into the royal romance for ideas and good movie angles. A few producers are seeking a way to veil the real plot yet use the basic idea. Others would like to feature relatives of Mrs, Simpson in some manner, as yet un- . explained. Mr, Birinski laid his story in a mythical kingdom. It concerns a husband, who divorces Lis wife so she can marry the king. At the crossroad, he finally gives up his throne for her. The necessary happy ending comes about when he later becomes president of his country. One of the first Hollywood statements on Mrs. Simpson vs. Hollye wood came from Sam Wood, direce tor of the Marx Brothers, who re= cently said she was definitely “in the unkiddable class.” 3 would be professional suicide for a. comedian to make a national hero ithe “subject of any joke,” he remarked, obviously referring to the King. “HIS ‘ObServation was interpreted ‘mainly to K mean what the Hays office .fears-—that loss of the lucrative British: fn Jparket should not be risked,
FRANCES SANG HER WAY TO FREEDOM
Frances Langford sang her way out of a speed ticket when she was going just a little too fast on a ighway during her vacation in Florida. Recognizing the singer, the motorcycle officer said that it was usually a $25 fine, but that he would let her go if she would sing a song from “Born to Dance.” Frances admits that she sang as she’s never sung before.
STARTS M-G-M’s GIANT MUSICAL
/ BORN TO DANCE
ELEANOR
POWELL STEWART
Tonight's Presentations at Y our
NEIGHBORHOOD THEATERS
WEST SIDE 2702 W. 10th St.
Welcome . . .. “GOLD DIGGERS”
Beauties and Starlets
IT le) 48:
182 CLAR
“STAGE STRUCK” “WILD BRIAN W. Wash. & Belmont uble Feature “MAGNIFICENT B “WALKING ON AIR”. Dodble Feature GENERAL MED ALS DAT DA . NORTH Le
KENT” BELMONT V. tor McLaglen DAISY 2540 W. Mich. St. Jane Withers * “TO MARY—WI
TH “CHARLIE CHAN AT THE RACE TRACK” |’
Central at Fall Creek -. Double Feature
30th and Ci GARRICK RT ave HE i Bask Feary G B4By, SiG"
EAST SIDE
RIVOLI sii dl “LADIES IN 10%E" Baynes MAIDEN LANE”
< ‘15 le Feature
TACOMA Poul Crawford
GORGEOUS HUSSY” “O'MALLEY OF THE MOUNTED”
TUXEDO 4020 E. New York HIL-GEN E. Wash. 8t. at Rural ATE NUMBER” IRVING
Double e Feature “MY MAN GODFE EY TELEVISION” Rouble Feature “PRIV. ‘ “SONS 0’ GUNS” Dovsle Featule r Cast =
2442 | 4 E Wash. St.
“TRAPPED BY ELEVI: ° Young 5507 E, Wash. St.
“NEIGHBORHOOD "Houser EMERSON Buffett DSWORTH"” “WALKING ON AIR I Oth HAMILTON “Bou 55s" “ROAD TO GLORY Jane Withers “PEPPER” PARKER Bouk Fifty Joan Crawford “THE S HUSSY” oo DONOVAN” - 1332 E. Wash. St, Double Feature
STRAND